Edmonia Lewis claims July 4, 1844, as her birthdate in Greenbush, NY.
Mary Edmonia Lewis, a prominent sculptor of African American and Native American heritage, is celebrated for her birth on July 4, 1844, in Greenbush, New York. While official documentation cites her birth around 1844, Lewis herself declared the Fourth of July as her birthdate—highlighting a connection both culturally and symbolically to American independence. Her mixed ancestry provided a unique perspective that transcended into her art, blending cultural narratives and giving voice to themes of freedom.
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